The Art of Stopping: How to Be Still When You Have to Keep Going

by David Kundtz, Richard Carlson (Foreword)

“An elegant, powerful, and simple tool for finding serenity. Just what the world needs right now.” ― Richard Carlson , author of  Don't Sweat the Small Stuff We are always on the go. Balancing work, family, friends, and everything in between is a routine of running and never stopping─a cycle that can be tiring. We forget the beauty of the smaller moments and sometimes we forget to stop and use our coping skills. Stopping is a gift to yourself.  Knowing when to breathe and regain a clearer vision of yourself and your surroundings helps give you a fresh perspective and an inner balance meant to help you feel in control of the bigger things. Who are you? What are your true priorities?  Your responsibilities may have taken over and are preventing you from living to your fullest potential. Dr. Kundtz gives you insight into key questions you should be asking. Stop whatever you’re doing and enjoy the sunrise.  Big things can grab your attention but don’t forget to turn around and find the serenity in stillness─the peace in a deep breath, and the happiness in remembering who you are. With this valuable guide learn If you enjoyed books like  The Way of Integrity , Giving Grief Meaning , I Am Invincible , Time Management for Mortals , or  The Road Less Traveled , then you’ll love The Art of Stopping .

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook

248 pages, Paperback

Published January 19, 2021

Reviews

[Evelina T]

as for someone who rests standing or rarely plans breaks, this was a great reminder to stop sometimes

[Madhab Dwibedy]

Bleh bt I like it

[Mom2triplets04]

Listened on audio. Really positive message. Made me rethink my day and to stop and appreciate the world around me. Highly recommend the audio book.

[T Love]

Inspiring, Practical, Real

If you truly want to live your life to the fullest, improve your relationships, live your purpose, and significantly reduce your chances of regret, anger, and guilt – STOP. Read this book. Using real life experiences from real people the author shows how anyone can stop, slow down, and take the time necessary to get a grip on life and move forward with purpose. The only way to find fulfillment is to know where to look. It’s about YOU, it’s about figuring out what is truly important in your life. You get ONE life. If you want it to be good, follow the guidance provided and you will find every aspect of your life will not just improve but continue to get better each and every day. No one can live our life for us, it’s up to us to live it in the best, easiest, most fulfilling way possible. Read this book and take the first step, even a small step will make a huge difference.

[Cory]

Is still for too long

Actual Rating = 2/5

While there are a few useful snippets in this book, namely the 3 tiers of Stopping based on time, this is too much icing & too little cake.

There is a lot of repetition here without actual substance. Easily 1/3 of the book could have been condensed or eliminated. Also, the key strategies really aren't unveiled until the end of the book, limiting their usefulness.

Perhaps the most difficult flaw to look past is the attempt to "rebrand" or co-opt Eastern practices like Zen Buddhism or Mindfulness. These philosophies have been around for centuries (at least) & have been skillfully taught by monks & scholars for at least that long. This book tries to make them "Western-friendly" by renaming them & making them more palatable for "busy people" & those experiencing burnout. While I appreciate the attempt to maximize their applicability & utility, something about it strikes me as.....colonizing?

Summarily, I recommend the works of Thich Nhat Hahn, Bhante G., & John Yates over this.

[CallMe.Tippy]

This is not what I thought it was going to be. Like most "self-help" type of books this could have been shortened by at least two thirds and it would have been much more enjoyable and less repetitive.

I don't get the need to be super repetitive in books like this, also this doesn't actually speak about the art of stopping, it speaks about the art of taking mini-breaks in your day, not really what I was looking for in terms of content for book about stopping.

Overall the information is pretty basic and could have easily been an article or a blog post even, the content did not warrant an entire book.

[Alli]

Maybe 2.5 stars. A clear explanation of “stopping” doesn’t happen until later in the book, when I realize this is something I already do consistently in my life and assume most others do too. (Ex: stopping to heat up coffee or waiting for something to print.) The stories and anecdotes were enjoyable, but repetitive. The book could probably be condensed into half the length and still be overly thorough.

[Michaelanthony Hogan]

In such a fast paced and attention grabbing world, we all need moments of silence, of contemplation, and of introspection. This book highlights the need for moments of stopping, how to obtain them, and what they truly mean to the overall psyche.

[Cassandra]

I received a complimentary copy.

Great stories and positive vibes flowing through the chapters. Perfect for a pick me up if you are not feeling good or if you just want a little more inspiration.

[andrea v. (andrea’s galley)]

Kind of helpful but, even though it’s a really short audiobook, I could not finish it for the life of me. So, after more than a month, I’m going to stop forcing myself into it.

[Krista-Marie Linegar]

I’ve always liked self-help type books. There’s some good thought and practices in this one. I think everyone can find something in this book

[Rebekah Gumm]

If this is your first exposure to slowing or stopping, it could be quite helpful.